Dave's Ice Cream - Aiea

I have a lot of pohā in my freezer, but I still haven’t gotten around to making ice cream yet. Thankfully, I was able to satisfy my pohā ice cream cravings at Dave's Ice Cream in Aiea!

Pohā Berry

I thought it could've used a bit more pohā flavor, but I'm glad it wasn't overpowering and too tart. 

Kahlúa Fudge

Hawaiian Mud Pie

Honey Dew Mochi

The employees were so friendly - it really made our visit special!


Dave's Ice Cream
98-820 Moanalua Road
Aiea, Hawaii 96701
(808) 487-7887

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One2buy

After dinner in Pearl Kai, we went over to One2buy to check out what they had. 

I didn't expect to buy as much as I did, but I got all sorts of snacks - different flavors of Cheetos, coriander Doritos (I love cilantro), bamboo Lay's, and more. 

I also bought some of the Strawberry Milkshake Pepsi for the kids to try. 

I do wish they had ice cream! 

The prices are very reasonable, so it won't break the bank to try all kinds of interesting flavors of snacks.


One2buy
98-159 Kamehameha Hwy 

Aiea HI 96701

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Tadashi

I met @deniset73 at Tadashi in Pearl Kai Center.  It's been decades since I went to Tadashi - it was often a spot I'd go to when I used to work at the airport.

Things have changed, however, since then.  It seems like they are still operating as they did during the pandemic, with tables spaced out very far apart, and a bunch of tables / chairs pushed up against the wall in the back.  You also have 90 minutes to dine.  

Soba, Tsukemono, Miso Soup

We both ordered teishoku, which comes with soba, tsukemono, miso foup, and rice. 

Butterfish Misoyaki

I had the Teriyaki Chicken & Tempura Special Combination Teishoku.

I was very surprised by the huge portion of teriyaki chicken, which also came with a side salad.  The sauce was good, but the chicken was a bit on the tougher side.  The tempura was good, although I thought the batter could've been crisper.

The service was attentive and the food was fine.  There seemed to be lots of regulars dining, and it was nice to see all locals. 

Denise did her research, and read that if you pay by cash, you get a 7% discount, so she had cash handy!

We were done with dinner in less than an hour!

Tadashi
98-199 Kamehameha Hwy

Aiea, HI 96701

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Baldwin's Sweet Shop

I grew up going to Baldwin's Sweet Shop for shave ice.  On my recent visit, however, we got some local treats instead since we had already eaten dessert. 

Baldwin's has all sorts of crack seed, gummies, senbei, Japanese candies, and more.

They have everything packaged in plastic containers vs displayed in jars or on hooks, so you'll have to open up or peer into each container to look at each offering.

It's a great spot to pick up some treats for yourself or for omiyage!

Baldwin's Sweet Shop
98-040 Kamehameha Hwy

Aiea, HI 96701
(808) 488-0505

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Shiro's Saimin Haven

I love Shiro's Saimin Haven.  I’ve been going to Shiro's in Waimalu ever since I was a little kid . . . it was a spot where my friends and I would go to for dinner during high school, and it’s still a go-to spot for whenever I’m craving comfort food.

I’ve always ordered either a Saimin or Wun Tun Min, and only in my adult life did I start ordering French Fries + Gravy on the side.

Wun Tun Min

French Fries with Gravy

Talk about comfort food!

Double Hula Bacon Burga

Orange Bang Float

It was nice to see so many local families dining, spanning generations, and loved how there were so many people running into others they know.

Shiro’s is a true community fixture . .

Shiro's Saimin Haven

98-020 Kamehameha Highway

Aiea, HI  96701

(808) 488-8824

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La Birria Pearl Kai Opens Today (4/8)!

La Birria opens its newest location at Pearl Kai today!  

They opened up the first La Birria food truck back in Oct. 2020 with a simple concept in mind — to take one menu item — birria tacos, and excel at it.

They have since expanded to 2 brick-and-mortars, as well as franchises.

You’ll find all the usual faves at the new spot — Birria Queso Tacos, Hell Fire Tacos, and Birria Ramen.

Birria Queso Tacos

Birria Ramen

If you dare risk your tongue, buy a Mexican Roulette pack of 12 tacos, one of which is a Hell Fire Taco (I've only ever made it through 2 bites).

Mexican Roulette (11 Birria Questo + 1 Hidden Hell Fire)

Agua Fresca • Horchata • Cold Brew Horchata • Strawberry Horchata

Congrats to the La Birria Team!

La Birria - Pearl Kai

98-199 Kamehameha Hwy

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$10.99 Regular Chicken Katsu Plate at Oh My Grill

6 years ago, a friend told me about Oh My Grill in Pearl City, which had an amazing deal for a regular plate of Chicken Katsu + a drink.   

Although now it's $10.99 and a drink is no longer included, it's still a great deal in today's times.  

It was a generous serving with rice and mac salad - definitely worth at least 2 meals!

BBQ Chicken

The BBQ Chicken plate is $10.99 as well! 

Mix Plate (Mochiko Chicken & Garlic Fish)

The other offerings are also reasonably-priced, and servings generous.

 Oh My Grill
98-199 Kamehameha Highway
Pearl Kai Shopping Center C, 7
Aiea, HI 96701

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The Hall by Beer Lab HI

It was an impromptu get together at The Hall by Beer Lab HI at Pearlridge.  It was packed at 730pm and people were still coming in past 9pm when I left.

It's no surprise, as The Hall is a fun place to hang out with friends and family while eating good food! 

Onion Rings

Grilled Cheese Sando with Tots

I didn't care for the cheesy crust on the grilled cheese, but the tots were so crispy and addicting! 

Local Style Fried Noodles

Everyone loved the noodles.  It was the hit of the table. 

Crispy Pork

Chicken Wings

All the food we ordered was great.

It's always a good time at The Hall!

The Hall by Beer Lab HI at Pearlridge
Uptown, 98-1005 Moanalua Rd Unit #884

Aiea, HI

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Kapiolani Coffee Shop

I've only been to Kapiolani Coffee Shop in Aiea once before, over 10 years ago, and I'm glad it's still around.  

Oxtail Soup

They are known for their Oxtail Soup. My friend loves Oxtail Soup, and he said it was really good, although he wishes there were peanuts and shiitake. He did say the meat was perfectly simmered and the broth tasted good.

Saimin, French Fries, Gravy

I got my favorite comfort food trio - Saimin, French Fries, and Gravy. I love French Fries and gravy but this gravy was a little too thin.

The saimin was a very generous size (I got the regular size) and although I thought the broth was a bit under-seasoned, the bowl of saimin was very satisfying (I barely finished it - they gave a lot of noodles and fixings!).

Service was friendly, and it was great to see a steady stream of customers patronizing the restaurant.

Kapiolani Coffee Shop
98-020 Kamehameha Hwy
Aiea, HI 96701
(808) 488-7708

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The Hall by Beer Lab HI at Pearlridge

 

We recently had a quick pau hana at The Hall by Beer Lab HI at Pearlridge.

Crispy Pork

The Crispy Pork was lechon kawali style, and it was so good - reminded me of being at my grandparents' house as a kid!

Smoked Meat Fries

The Smoked Meat Fries were so addicting.  The Smoked Meat had a BBQ glaze, and the fries alone were great too!

Local Style Fried Noodles

The Local Style Fried Noodles were so tasty - some of the best I've had in a long time!  They did not skimp on the ingredients!

What I love about Beer Lab is it's perfect for large groups since everyone can order via the app for their own party.  No need to fuss with calculating everyone's portion or multiple bills.  

Looking forward to the next pau Hana!

The Hall by Beer Lab HI at Pearlridge
Uptown, 98-1005 Moanalua Rd Unit #884

Aiea, HI

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Forty Niner Restaurant Takeout

Forty Niner makes it easy to get plate lunches to satisfy your hunger.

Egg Burger

Ribeye Steak

Hapa Pancakes

The Hapa Pancakes consisted of pancakes covered with coconut sauce and drizzled with Nutella.

Fried Rice Omelette

Housemade Chorizo Hash & Egg

I had the Housemade Chorizo Hash & Egg.  The chorizo hash was very smokey, with a bit of heat.  It was a lot of food.

I thought prices were reasonable, and we all enjoyed our food.

Online ordering made take-out quick and easy.

Forty Niner Restaurant

98-110 Honomanu Street

Aiea, HI 96701
808-484-1940

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Down to Earth

We recently went to Down to Earth - Pearlridge to get some groceries, and I had no idea how popular the place was for dining!

They have a salad bar, a hot bar, a deli, and pastries galore.  We went to buy some groceries, and also ended up getting pizza, cookies, pastries, and a smoothie!

I thought the cookie was okay - the texture was a bit firmer than I like (not exactly chewy, not exactly crispy), but I appreciated how big it was.  

The kids loved the smoothie and the other pastries.  

We bought the pizza for someone, but it sure looked good!

There is seating outside, and I was surprised at how many people were there eating or ordering take-out.  Next time we'll try some hot foods!

Down to Earth
98-211 Pali Momi St

Aiea, HI 96701

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